Influence of TM and RE elements on glass formation of the ternary Al–TM–RE systems

The effects of TM and RE elements on glass formation ability (GFA) of the Al–TM–RE systems are studied systematically. The TM elements show distinct differences: critical sizes of the Al–TM–Ce systems are in the order of Ni > Co > Fe > Cu. However, the RE elements show similar effect on glass formation. These results are discussed in terms of the GFA-related factors, i.e., reduced glass transition temperature (Trg = Tg (Tx)/TL, where Tg, Tx and TL are the glass transition temperature, onset crystallization temperature and liquidus temperature, respectively) and the mixing enthalpy ΔHAl–TM. A new parameter of TL − Tg (Tx) is potentially proposed and used to evaluate the GFA of the Al-based alloys, as well as bulk glass-formers.